CHAPTER 1567: CHAPTER 1567: ARROGANCE

In the blink of an eye, the New Year arrived. The New Year at the Marquis Zhou Residence was lively. The children in each branch were gradually growing up, and the family was flourishing, with the Zhou family quickly becoming a large tree.

On the first day of the New Year, house after house came to pay their respects. Mingyun already had a son and a daughter, and Ming Teng’s child was about to be born. The main house had the most thriving lineage.

When it was the second wife’s turn, Zhulan said to Lady Zhao, "This year, your branch should also add to its population."

Lady Zhao beamed with joy, having married a daughter-in-law into the family. Grandchildren were not far off. "My daughter-in-law is hoping to marry her in as soon as possible."

She was completely satisfied with her daughter-in-law, and was fond of Lin Qing’s devotion to her son.

Ming Rui rarely blushed, pinching his fingertips. He was also looking forward to marrying and living together.

When the third house came to pay respects, Zhulan was a bit melancholic, handing out red envelopes to Yu Yi and the others, muttering, "The third couple has been away from home for many years. In recent years, the third daughter-in-law came back once, but the third son never returned. The family is not complete."

Eldest Zhou and his second brother exchanged glances. Mother missed the third brother. It’s not easy for the third brother, serving as an official outside the capital, making it hard to return home.

Zhou Shuren clasped his wife’s hand, "When the third isn’t busy, let him come back once."

Zhulan said, "No, the third is too far away."

Yu Yi hung her head. She hadn’t seen her parents for a long time and missed them dearly as well.

When the fourth family came to pay respects, Zhulan smiled, "I have no other wishes, just hope Yu Wen can visit more often."

Seeing them all look at her, Yu Wen said, "Grandmother, I’ll try my best."

Zhulan envied Yu Wen, this girl didn’t like to move around but still didn’t gain weight. Her physique resembled Su Xuan’s.

Chang Xhong, unmarried, came to pay respects himself, "My wish is for my parents to live a long and healthy life."

Zhulan’s face was joyous, but her heart was a bit sour. She and Zhou Shuren were getting on in years and didn’t know how many years they had left. Thinking like this, she wished to see her son married sooner, but eventually, she gave up the thought.

The New Year passed quickly. Even though the Imperial court postponed the Scholar exam, Ming Rui still returned to his hometown as planned.

Lady Zhao didn’t see her son off out of the capital, only to the door. Zhulan said, "You didn’t see Ming Rui off, but did Lin Qing see him off personally?"

Lady Zhao smiled and nodded, "Yu Die told my daughter-in-law, so I didn’t go. I let the two of them have a good chat."

She and her husband had a good relationship, not being a wicked mother-in-law. Naturally, she hoped her son’s married life would be harmonious and happy. Affection grew through spending time together, so she wouldn’t disturb them.

Zhulan said, "You’re shrewd. I was worried about your relationship with Lin Qing, but now I see my worries were unnecessary. You’re indeed a rare good mother-in-law."

Lady Zhao’s eyes curved with a smile, "I learned from my mother-in-law. You’ve taught your daughter-in-law a lot. In the past, your daughter-in-law was immature and caused you worry."

"That’s all in the past."

At the city gate, Lin Qing saw the Marquis Zhou Residence’s carriage, promptly getting off. Seeing Lin Qing, Ming Rui also hurried down, "On such a cold day, why did you come?"

"I was worried. By the way, I had the kitchen make your favorite snacks. Take them to eat on the road."

Lin Qing continued, "With the cold and slippery roads, don’t rush. Prioritize safety and don’t make yourself suffer on the journey."

Ming Rui didn’t say anything, just quietly listening to Lin Qing’s reminders, feeling warmth in his heart. Seeing Lin Qing’s ears turning red from the cold, he reached out to pull the hood of her cloak over her. "I remember it all, wait for me to return."

Lin Qing’s face turned crimson. By the time she came to her senses, the Marquis Zhou Residence’s carriage had already left. Lin Qing turned around and asked her maid, "Did you hear that just now?"

The maid had a smile in her eyes, "I heard, Third Young Master Zhou said for Miss to wait for him to return."

Lin Qing jumped excitedly, "He really said it, he really said it."

Ming Rui would soon set a date to marry her. She knew Ming Rui’s heart was difficult to enter, but she believed that sincerity would be exchanged for sincerity, and she believed that sooner or later, she could warm Ming Rui’s heart, truly warm it!

Ming Rui left early, and then it was Mingyun. Mingyun packed more things, as he was going to be staying on the grasslands for an extended period.

Lady Li was fully focused on Mingyun, fearing Mingyun would suffer hardship on the grasslands. Lau Jing’s injury on the grasslands was still fresh in her memory, making her very worried about her son’s safety.

Zhulan came to the main house, "Are all things packed?"

Lady Li handed the list to her mother-in-law, "This is the prepared list. Mother, see if anything is missing?"

Zhulan carefully browsed the list. Lady Li, for once, was so meticulous, even preparing plenty of needle and thread. "I see nothing is missing."

Lady Li put away the list, "Mother, Ran Wan wants to go with him."

Zhulan asked, "What does Mingyun say?"

Lady Li helped her mother-in-law to sit down, "Mingyun disagreed, the two children are still too young."

"I’m quite pleased Ran Wan isn’t afraid of hardship and wants to go. Ran Wan is good, but you shouldn’t interfere in this matter as a mother-in-law. Let Mingyun handle it."

A mother-in-law is, after all, not one’s own mother.

Lady Li wasn’t foolish, "I’m just talking to you. I didn’t interfere at all. Ran Wan told me she hoped I would persuade him but I decided not to speak, to avoid being in a difficult position."

Zhulan affectionately tapped her eldest daughter-in-law on the forehead, "Not bad, you’ve become prudent."

"At my age, if I’m not prudent, I’d truly be a fool."

In the end, Ran Wan didn’t go with Mingyun. Mingyun’s decisions were hard to change. Mingyun didn’t leave with the team transporting the luggage but, after disguising, left quietly. There was no choice, as the Marquis Zhou Residence was in the public eye, and being cautious was never wrong.

As Mingyun left, Ming Hui and the others dared not to cause trouble. Ming Hui took a beating, serving as a lesson for the younger ones.

Time passed quickly. Ming Rui passed the Scholar exam, securing the top spot, living up to the years of hard work. The Zhou clan, too, made a splash this time. Twenty candidates took the exam, and twelve passed, showing the high aptitude of this year’s Zhou family children.

This is the foundation for the Zhou family’s future. These children will protect the Zhou family in the future.

With the results sent to the capital, Zhou Shuren sent a reply along with the clan rules. The clan rules were very strict, with hundreds of articles, and Zhou Shuren and Zhulan wrote all they could think of, comparable to the legal code.

There were also arrangements for orphans within the clan, ensuring the children’s welfare.

During the morning court, Zhou Shuren didn’t care about the sour expression of Elder Wen, smiling at the congratulations. He even boasted a few times, "Ming Rui, this child didn’t need much worry since he was young. It’s no surprise he topped the exam. Ha ha, the child indeed did us proud."

Elder Wen was "!!" filled with resentment. His own descendants were numerous, and some passed the Scholar exam this year too, but none topped it.

Mr. Qie, with a cold face, said, "Look at Marquis Zhou showing off, as if wanting everyone to know. It’s just a Scholar, after all."

If only the sour tone were more convincing!

Zhou Shuren’s ears were sharp, "Mr. Qie, saying so gives us confidence in your grandson. So this marquis will wait for Mr. Qie’s grandson to top the exam. I’ll congratulate in advance."

Mr. Qie was "..." Is topping the capital’s exam so easy? Looking at his colleagues’ displeased faces, he felt a pang. How could Zhou Shuren hear so well?